All School

March 1, 2021

Much has changed at MPA from the experiences of its first students in 1982 to today. But one thing remains the same: the people who are at the heart of what it means to be a part of the MPA community make it what it is. The teachers, staff, students, parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, and so many others each embody the MPA spirit to make an impact not only in the hallways and classrooms at MPA, but out in the world.

On Tuesday, March 2, we invite you to join with your decade of fellow MPA alumni to support the MPA students of today and tomorrow. This year, participation matters more than ever before as we have two challenges that could provide $20,000 to MPA in matching gifts. From the 80s, 90s, 2000s, 2010s and today, the MPA panther pride remains strong. If your class’ decade reaches 12% participation, you will unlock a $2,500 challenge gift to support MPA’s next generation. If all four MPA decades reach 12% then it will earn an additional $10,000, totaling $20,000 in matching challenge gifts! Alumni through the decades–1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s, and 2010’s– are sharing why they give in honor of this special day.

Every gift matters, in any amount–your participation is so important to the future of our school and is gratefully received. Thank you for your support of the MPA students of today and tomorrow!

Christine (Boerbon) Gruen ’90
This year has presented more challenges than ever. With the COVID epidemic children are experiencing more stressors than usual. With the lack of socialization and inability to connect with others many people are feeling disconnected with one another. I am a Mounds Park Academy alumnus who graduated in 1990. My family and I lived in San Diego for over eight years. Once COVID hit, things changed. We realized how important it was to be close to our family. We decided to move back to Minnesota. This meant a new school for both of my children. My son, currently a freshman, and my daughter currently in seventh grade we’re both struggling to connect in their new environment. That’s where MPA came into the picture. I realized how important it was for my children to be a part of a smaller learning environment. I did not want them to be a number but rather a respected person their teachers really knew.

This journey to happiness was priceless. At the end of the day, if your children are thriving, your household is happy. Giving back to an educational institution that promotes independent learning creates these whole minded, successful individuals ready to succeed in any situation.

Emily Binstadt ’91
I choose to give to MPA and to send my children there because the values and inclusive culture I experienced at MPA still resonate there today. My children can be part of a community where their individuality is welcomed, their questions are celebrated, and their opportunities to explore abound. The dedication and kindness of teachers and leaders at MPA inspires me and earns my respect and support.

Courtenay Brown ’91
Ever since graduating from MPA, I have been giving back every year since graduation and continue make it key part of my annual giving.  This year, my family and I, we have been trying to support especially those organizations like MPA which could use our extra support due to the pandemic.  It makes it even more meaningful to contribute to MPA because my niece, Holland (4th grade), and nephew, Julian (6th grade), started at MPA this year!

March 1, 2021

Much has changed at MPA from the experiences of its first students in 1982 to today. But one thing remains the same: the people who are at the heart of what it means to be a part of the MPA community make it what it is. The teachers, staff, students, parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, and so many others each embody the MPA spirit to make an impact not only in the hallways and classrooms at MPA, but out in the world.

On Tuesday, March 2, we invite you to join with your decade of fellow MPA alumni to support the MPA students of today and tomorrow. This year, participation matters more than ever before as we have two challenges that could provide $20,000 to MPA in matching gifts. From the 80s, 90s, 2000s, 2010s and today, the MPA panther pride remains strong. If your class’ decade reaches 12% participation, you will unlock a $2,500 challenge gift to support MPA’s next generation. If all four MPA decades reach 12% then it will earn an additional $10,000, totaling $20,000 in matching challenge gifts! Alumni through the decades–1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s, and 2010’s– are sharing why they give in honor of this special day.

Every gift matters, in any amount–your participation is so important to the future of our school and is gratefully received. Thank you for your support of the MPA students of today and tomorrow!

Rachel Katkar ’02
I am so committed to MPA’s mission that we just applied for our son to attend the PreK program. MPA provided the confidence, practice, and skills needed for me to thrive in college and my career.
Think independently:  I frequently voiced concern, broader vision, or innovative solutions to problems even when those ideas differentiated from my colleagues or supervisors’ ideas.
Communicate effectively: MPA fostered an understanding of writing that has served me in every capacity from web content and report writing to published articles.
Intellectual Ambition: I won’t ever be “done” learning! I plan to continue Master’s classes and likely a Ph.D. program at the University of Minnesota.
Act with respect and integrity: My contacts frequently comment on my kindness, respectfulness, and ability to be the calm presence in the midst of a storm.
Diverse community:  Throughout my career path, I promoted student diversity through inclusive enrollment or hiring practices, overhaul of policies and procedures, expanded scholarship opportunities, and critical training opportunities.
Global responsibility:  I currently work with an exclusive program for international students who apply to the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.
Joy of learning:  I take advantage of every opportunity ranging from the YWCA Racial Justice training to Wild Turtles class at Como Zoo. I share this joy of learning with my 2 year old son, and have taught hundreds of students about biology and environmental sciences over the years.
MPA was instrumental to helping me become the confident, capable educator and parent I am today.

Victoria Simmonds ’01
I graduated from MPA in 2001 and this academic year we reentered the community as parents of a Kindergartner. After many years away, my heart is full to find all of the things I loved about MPA as a student are still very much alive. The staff’s dedication to their students is remarkable. The school’s mission has not wavered over the years and they have thoughtfully risen to the challenges and adapted to the circumstances of current times. We are thankful to have the opportunity to be part of this community again. This is why we choose to give.

Adi Boeder Risner ’02
Our son loves going to school everyday and we are so proud of his success. We give to MPA so that the school can continue to inspire students with cutting edge tools and resources. Also, we give to help bridge the gap between tuition and the real cost of a MPA education.

Ty Johnston ’04
Given the decades long head start, MPA’s rival schools are so far ahead with Endowments that I see the importance of each of us, as Alumni to keep strengthening the foundation of our young school by maximum participation. Not in dollars, but in headcount–if we can all participate, even in a small way, we can secure the future success and longevity of this institution that gave to us so much in our most formative years. FOMO was the other reason. Selfishly, I want to be able to continue to see MPA grow and remain atop the most desirable schools in the Twin Cities so that my children and my nieces and nephews will know about the school that my 3 sisters and I all attended. I wouldn’t feel right walking through those doors again in the future knowing that I skipped out on participating in the sustainability of a place that gave me so many memories.

Satchel Moore ’04
I give to MPA for a number of reasons.
I give to MPA for the wave of gratitude I feel when I think about my time at MPA.
I give to MPA for the community it welcomed me into that continues to support me decades later.
I give to MPA for the example it sets. Leaders learn from leaders.
I give to MPA to challenge them to learn and grow as they did for me.
I want others to have the same opportunity.